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Ethical aspects of the right to refuse medication: A clinicolegal dilemma for the psychiatrist and patient

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Abstract

Current controversy over the right of psychiatric inpatients to refuse medication has scanted the ethical aspects of this thorny problem. The authors utilize a model case example to explore the issues for psychiatrist and patient and make recommendations for legislative changes in this area.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School, USA

    Gail C. Eisenberg M.D. (Chief Resident in Psychiatry),  James T. Hilliard J.D. (Lecturer on Law in the Dept. of Psychiatry) &  Thomas G. Gutheil M.D. (Acting Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

  2. In-Patient Services, USA

    Thomas G. Gutheil M.D. (Acting Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

Authors
  1. Gail C. Eisenberg M.D.
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  2. James T. Hilliard J.D.
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  3. Thomas G. Gutheil M.D.
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Additional information

The authors acknowledge their indebtedness to Ms Elyse Littaye for assistance in the preparation of this manuscript and to Drs. Paul Appelbaum, Douglas Ingram, and Miles Shore for critical review and suggestions.

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Eisenberg, G.C., Hilliard, J.T. & Gutheil, T.G. Ethical aspects of the right to refuse medication: A clinicolegal dilemma for the psychiatrist and patient. Psych Quart 53, 93–99 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01064892

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01064892

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